Aircraft emergency oxygen supply device, aircraft comprising such an emergency oxygen supply device, and method of operating an aircraft emergency oxygen supply device

Abstract

An aircraft emergency oxygen supply device comprises an oxygen source for supplying oxygen gas; a backup electric power supply system, comprising at least one electric power storage device; and a controller for controlling the operation of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device. The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is electrically connectable to an aircraft electric power supply system for being supplied with electric power provided by the aircraft electric power supply system; the at least one electric power storage device is chargeable by electric power provided by the aircraft electric power supply system; and the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is operational with electric power provided by the backup electric power supply system.

1 . An aircraft emergency oxygen supply device, comprising:
 an oxygen source for supplying oxygen gas;   a backup electric power supply system, comprising at least one electric power storage device; and   a controller for controlling the operation of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device;   wherein the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is electrically connectable to an aircraft electric power supply system for being supplied with electric power provided by the aircraft electric power supply system;   wherein the at least one electric power storage device is chargeable by electric power provided by the aircraft electric power supply system; and   wherein the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is operational with electric power provided by the backup electric power supply system.   
     
     
         2 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is operational with electric DC power having a voltage in the range of between 15 V and 35 V, in particular a voltage in the range of between 20 and 30 V, more in particular having a voltage in the range of between 27.5 and 28.5 V. 
     
     
         3 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device has a power supply input terminal for receiving electric power from the aircraft electric power supply system; and   wherein the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device has at least one activation input terminal for receiving an activation signal activating the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device;   wherein the activation input terminal is in particular provided separately and independently from the power supply input terminal.   
     
     
         4 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 3 , wherein the activation input terminal is configured for receiving the activation signal via a wired connection and/or via a wireless connection. 
     
     
         5 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electric charge sensor for determining a current charging state of the at least one electric power storage device, wherein the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device comprises in particular a charge indicator device for indicating the current charging state of the at least one electric power storage device. 
     
     
         6 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the backup electric power supply system is configured for issuing a status signal, in particular an electric, visual and/or acoustic status signal, indicative of the current charging state of the at least one electric power storage device, and/or   wherein the backup electric power supply system is configured for issuing an alarm signal, in particular an electric, visual and/or acoustic alarm signal, in case the current charging state of the at least one electric power storage device is below a predefined threshold.   
     
     
         7 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the oxygen source comprises a chemical oxygen generator with a mechanical activator, wherein the mechanical activator is configured for starting a chemical reaction within the chemical oxygen generator after it has been mechanically triggered, wherein the at least one electric power storage device in particular has an electric storage capacity sufficient to effect deployment of at least one oxygen mask; or   wherein the oxygen source comprises a chemical oxygen generator with an electric activator, in particular a pyroelectric actuator, wherein the electric activator is configured for starting a chemical reaction within the chemical oxygen generator after it has been electrically triggered, wherein the at least one electric power storage device in particular has an electric storage capacity sufficient to effect deployment of at least one oxygen mask and to operate the electric activator; or   wherein the oxygen source comprises an oxygen gas storage device, in particular an oxygen gas bottle, in which a predefined amount of oxygen gas is stored; an electric activator, in particular a pyroelectric activator, for starting the supply of oxygen gas from the oxygen gas storage device; and a gas supply controller for controlling the supply of oxygen gas from the oxygen storage device to at least one oxygen mask; wherein the at least one electric power storage device in particular has an electric storage capacity sufficient to effect deployment of the at least one oxygen mask, to operate the electric activator, and to operate the gas supply controller.   
     
     
         8 . The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one activation sensor, in particular at least one air pressure sensor, for providing an activation signal activating the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device, wherein the at least one activation sensor in particular is coupled to and/or arranged within the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The passenger service unit, comprising an aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1  and at least one of a reading light, a gasper, a loudspeaker, a switchable visual sign and an electric switch for switching the at least one reading light and/or for triggering a signal for calling cabin service personnel. 
     
     
         10 . The aircraft, in particular an airplane or a helicopter, comprising:
 an aircraft electric power supply system; and   at least one aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 , which is coupled to the aircraft electric power supply system.   
     
     
         11 . The aircraft according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one activation switch, in particular a manual activation switch, which is coupled to the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device for selectively providing an activation signal to the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of operating an aircraft emergency oxygen supply device according to  claim 1 , which is installed in an aircraft comprising an aircraft electric power supply system, wherein the method includes:
 charging the at least one electric power storage device of the backup electric power supply system with power supplied from the aircraft electric power supply system; and   during flight of the aircraft, holding power for the operation of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device available in the at least one electric power storage device.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the method further includes:
 in an emergency situation, operating the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device with electric power supplied by the aircraft electric power supply system, in case sufficient electric power is supplied by the aircraft electric power supply system; and   in an emergency situation, operating the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device using electric power supplied by the backup electric power supply system, in case sufficient electric power is not supplied by the aircraft electric power supply system.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the method includes receiving an activation signal and activating the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device upon receipt of said activation signal; and/or   wherein the method includes checking the current charging state of the at least one electric power storage device and providing a status signal, indicative of the current charging state, to the aircraft crew and/or to an aircraft control system.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said charging of the at least one electric power storage device of the backup electric power supply system with power supplied from the aircraft electric power supply system takes place when the aircraft is on the ground.